I'm not a religious guy, never have been a church goer and was raised that way. I know my Dad's family was Catholic. We never attended Church. I was baptized Methodist at around 20 so I could be a Godparent to my nephew.

I went to my wife's Church (not Catholic) several times on Christmas Eve as that's what she did. My wife's parents were devoted members of the church they went to and my wife attended most of the time with them until her early 20's and she got a job that she worked weekends. Her parents attended consistently and volunteered at most events along with cleaning the Church as well. After her Dad's death her Mom's attendance fell off a few years later and they had a hard time keeping a Pastor which also contributed to that. However her Mom gave to the Church monthly, not a small amount either even though she didn't have a lot of money. Later in life as her mind was failing (dementia) she was a bit too generous to the Church as my wife was balancing her checkbook until she finally took it away. The Pastor was aware of her failing mind but it didn't seem to matter as long as the checks were coming, quite often multiple donations a month. To me it was wrong on every level and jaded me even more on organized religion than I already was. It's a money grab at the core. I don't care if you like that or not and you can say it's not that way everywhere but follow the money.

I'm not a perfect person and never will claim to be. I do believe in God and a higher power but I'll donate to charities and organizations I want to and agree with their goals. I won't be donating to a Church that will decide what to do with it or keep it for themselves. I've seen enough of the Pope and the Catholic Church that I'm glad I'm not a part of it. From the rape of choir boys that was and is still being covered up to being for illegal immigration to being against Capitalism. I have no problem if you're Catholic and a follower as that's your decision and only yours. The same can likely be said for other religions as well.

jalstat was right in his post. Follow the money.

Churches for whatever reason have left their parishioners.

What's the Catholic doctrine on being for illegal immigration and being against capitalism? Is that in the Catechism sonewhere?

What's the Catholic doctrine on being for illegal immigration and being against capitalism? Is that in the Catechism sonewhere?

No,..it's in their sermons,. A refuge if you will,...not limited to the Catholics.

You listen to lots of Catholic sermons, then?

Don't try to,..just an observation,..ngo' carry their weight.
Go to any major city,..a refuge ,..sanctuary shrouded in political determination.